James Pryor

BOARDMAN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, officiated by the Rev. Msgr. William Connell, preceded by a 9:20 a.m. prayer service at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, for Mr. James L. Pryor, 93, who died early Tuesday morning at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

Mr. Pryor was born on Oct. 18, 1922, in Struthers, son of James L. and Anna (Sheridan) Pryor.

He graduated from Struthers High School in 1941, and shortly thereafter, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed his basic training at Parris Island, S.C., and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. During the summer of 1942, he was involved in the first major offensive by Allied Forces against the Empire of Japan on the islands of Tulagi, and Guadalcanal. While on Guadalcanal, he was seriously wounded by Japanese sniper fire, and was hospitalized for nearly one year. James received the purple heart for his selfless sacrifice for our country.

Following his honorable discharge, James graduated from Youngstown College with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. He worked as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service for 29 years, before retiring in 1980.

James was a member of the Holy Family Church, and the Struthers VFW. Above all things, James cherished his Catholic faith. He was totally devoted to his family, for whom he took care of his entire life.

James married his first wife, and mother of his children, the former Alice Mae Slanina, on May 5, 1951. She predeceased him on March 22, 1973. He later married his second wife, Julia "Jaye" Serich on Dec. 6, 1974. Julia preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 2014.

James leaves to cherish his memory, his three daughters, Mary Ann Pasternak of Concord Township, Susan (Jack) Smith of Struthers, and Kathryn Mincher of Poland; five sons, Mark (Maxine) Pryor of Salem, Thomas (Debbie) Pryor of Poland, Robert (Audrey) Pryor of Girard, John (Roberta) Pryor of Sunbury, and Kevin Pryor of Struthers; stepson James (Kelly) Serich; and stepdaughter Jane (Ken) Mills; 20 grandchildren, Veronica, Neil, Nathaniel, Thomas Jr., Megan, Jason, Mariah, Jamie, Jennifer, Kristine, Leah, Alana, Dylan, Breanne, Braeden, Melissa, Shaun, Kasie, Jared, and Jolene; and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, first wife, Alice, and second wife, Julia, James was preceded in death by his three sisters, Mary Pryor, Theresa Wilson, and Dorothy Pryor; and one brother, George Pryor.

Family and friends may pay their respects Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

James will be laid to rest next to his wife, Alice, at St. John The Baptist Cemetery, Coitsville.

The family requests material tributes be made in James's name to the Disabled American Veterans, 2044 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, OH 44484.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and send condolences.